12L14 is a low-carbon steel with up to 0.15% carbon, 0.85–1.15% manganese, 0.26–0.35% sulphur and 0.15–0.35% lead. The sulphur forms manganese sulphide inclusions and the lead acts as a lubricant at the cutting edge, so the chip breaks cleanly and the tool runs cooler. It is one of the most machinable steels made, used where cycle time matters most: hydraulic fittings, inserts, bushes, couplings, screws and nuts turned in high volume.
OneKaizen supplies 12L14 as bright round bars in Ø 8–160 mm, bright hex bars in 18–50 mm AF and hot rolled round bars, sourced from Indian and international mills. Delivery condition is your choice: cold drawn, hot rolled, or bright turned and ground. Every consignment ships with a mill test certificate.
EQUIVALENT GRADES
12L14 Equivalents
Direct means the same grade under another name. Close means the same alloy concept with slightly different limits, commonly substituted. Approximate means similar use with real differences: check with us before substituting.
| Standard | Designation | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Old BS EN | EN1AL | Close |
| BS 970 | 230M07 (leaded) | Close |
| EN | 11SMnPb30 (1.0718) | Close |
| DIN W.Nr. | 1.0718 | Close |
| AISI/SAE | 12L14 | Direct |
| UNS | G12144 | Direct |
| JIS | SUM24L | Close |
| KS | SUM24L | Close |
| GB | Y15Pb | Approximate |
| UNI | 11SMnPb30 | Close |
| UNE | 11SMnPb30 | Close |
| TS | 11SMnPb30 | Close |
12L14 Chemical Composition
Per SAE J403 (12L14)
| Element | Range, wt % | Range chart |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mn | 0.85 – 1.15 | |
| P | 0.04 – 0.09 | |
| S | 0.26 – 0.35 | |
| Pb | 0.15 – 0.35 |
12L14 and Its Equivalents: Chemical Composition
Equivalent grades are written to different standards, so their limits differ slightly. Use the column for the standard on your drawing or purchase order.
| Element | 12L14 SAE J403 | 11SMnPb30 EN 10087 | 230M07 (EN1AL) BS 970-1:1983 | SUM24L JIS G4804 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C % | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.14 | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.15 |
| Si % | – | ≤ 0.05 | – | – |
| Mn % | 0.85–1.15 | 0.90–1.30 | 1.00–1.50 | 0.85–1.15 |
| P % | 0.04–0.09 | ≤ 0.06 | ≤ 0.07 | 0.04–0.09 |
| S % | 0.26–0.35 | 0.27–0.33 | 0.20–0.30 | 0.26–0.35 |
| Pb % | 0.15–0.35 | 0.20–0.35 | 0.15–0.35 | 0.10–0.35 |
Delivery Condition and Heat Treatment
12L14 is used in the cold drawn condition and is not through-hardened, because its carbon is too low. Cold drawing raises the strength and hardness of the bar and improves the surface finish. Where a wear-resistant surface is needed, light carburising or carbonitriding is possible.
Lead and sulphur make the steel machine very well but lower its ductility, impact strength and fatigue performance. For parts that carry heavy or cyclic loads, choose a stronger grade such as SAE 1144 or EN8.
Welding is not recommended. Lead and sulphur cause porosity and hot cracking in the weld, and welding leaded steel releases lead fumes. 12L14 parts are machined, not fabricated.
What We Supply 12L14 In
Where 12L14 Is Used
Industries: Automotive, Hydraulics and pneumatics, Precision turned parts, Fasteners and fittings, Electrical hardware
Compare 12L14 with Similar Grades
12L14 Questions
What is the difference between 12L14 and SAE 1215?
Both are resulphurised free-cutting steels. 12L14 adds 0.15–0.35% lead, which gives faster cutting, better chip breaking and a finer finish. SAE 1215 has no lead, so choose it when your customer or market restricts lead.
Is 12L14 the same as 11SMnPb30?
No, it is close but not identical. 11SMnPb30 (1.0718) in EN 10087 is the nearest European equivalent and is widely supplied against 12L14 orders. Tell us if your drawing needs the exact SAE chemistry.
Is 12L14 the same as EN1AL?
EN1AL, the leaded version of EN1A (230M07 leaded), is a close equivalent. The two are interchanged for turned parts, with small differences in the sulphur and manganese bands.
Is 12L14 RoHS compliant?
12L14 contains lead. Under RoHS, steel for machining may contain up to 0.35% lead by weight under an exemption, which 12L14 meets, but the exemption has review dates and some customers ban leaded steel outright. Check your customer's specification; SAE 1215 or EN1A are the lead-free alternatives.
Can 12L14 be heat treated or welded?
It cannot be through-hardened because the carbon is low, though light carburising or carbonitriding is possible. We do not recommend welding because of cracking and lead fumes.
What is the minimum order for 12L14 bright bars?
3 tonnes, flexible depending on size and your situation. Send us your size, condition and quantity and we confirm availability and delivery.
What is 12L14 equivalent to?
12L14 is the same grade as AISI/SAE 12L14, UNS G12144. Close equivalents are EN 11SMnPb30, DIN W.Nr. 1.0718, Old BS EN EN1AL, BS 970 230M07 (leaded), JIS SUM24L, KS SUM24L.
In which forms do you supply 12L14?
OneKaizen supplies 12L14 as Bright Bars, Round Bars, Hex Bars, delivered across India and exported to buyers abroad.
Do you supply 12L14 with a mill test certificate?
Yes. Every lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing chemistry and mechanical properties, traceable to the heat number.
Data compiled by the OneKaizen metallurgy team from the standards named above. Updated 27 October 2026. Equivalents are nearest matches; confirm critical substitutions against the governing standard and mill certificate.